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emergency closing
District 202 Schools will not be closed unless hazardous road or other emergency conditions (including utility problems – electricity or natural gas outages) necessitate a closing.
A decision to close will normally be made by 5:30 a.m., and will be based upon road conditions, weather reports, police reports and personal inspections of streets and campuses by District 202 personnel.
When schools are to be closed, the media outlets listed in the box to the right will be
notified between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. All District 202 families and staff (except those who have asked to be removed from the call list) will also be notified through the Connect-ED recorded telephone message system. Parents are asked not to contact the District Office or school officials until after 7:30 a.m.
Absence Because of Adverse Weather Conditions
If the schools are open but parents believe that their child's normal route to school is unsafe, parents should keep their child at home. All principals are instructed that students kept home because either transportation was unavailable or, in the judgment of the parents, the walk was not safe, shall be given an "excused absence." Parents should explain this in a note to the principal following the student's return to school, and should then contact the school to see that the child makes up work missed. Parents of high school students should call the attendance office rather than send a written note..
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Transportation
District 202 will make every effort to see that safe transportation is provided for students. If road conditions are such that our school bus drivers cannot safely navigate their routes, school will be cancelled. At times, our buses will be able to operate safely but our drivers will need to adjust their schedules due to the changing road conditions. When schools are open during adverse weather conditions, parents are asked to personally supervise the safe loading of children. So that the last riders can be transported as nearly as possible to the normal time on return trips home, bus departure from school may begin earlier than the usual time. Individuals with questions are encouraged to call their school principal (see chart below) or the District 202 Transportation Office (439-5467).
For a list of phone numbers select the grade level below
Procedures for Early Dismissal
School will normally not be dismissed early. Early dismissal produces complications for parents who may be away from their homes. When weather or emergency conditions dictate an early closing, however, these procedures will be followed:
- A Connect-ED message will be distributed to the affected community.
- The following radio stations in the Joliet area will be notified: WJOL-AM 1340; WSSR-FM 96.7 (Star 96.7), WCCQFM 98.3 and WRXQ-FM 100.7
- Walking students should have notes from home on file in the school office indicating a neighbor's home to which they can go should their own parents not be at home.
- Unless other written arrangements are on file in the principal's office, bus students will be transported home.
- Schools will remain open at least 30 minutes after the last child is out of the building to allow personnel to respond to any unusual circumstances.
- If a return trip becomes impossible, the bus will return to school, and parents will be consulted concerning arrangements for transportation and/or lodging. Parents should also make sure that they have given building principals up-to-date information on an emergency card concerning where they can be reached, as well as the names of friends who are able to respond if called.
Evening Extracurricular Activities When Schools are Closed
In the early afternoon of the day that school is closed, a decision will be made concerning extracurricular activities. Parents and students are advised to listen to one of the Joliet radio stations mentioned above for information concerning extracurricular activities. This information will be available to the Joliet radio stations after 2 p.m.
Cooperation
We all need to work together to see that children are dressed appropriately for cold weather and that child safety is our first consideration. During the winter, some District 202 custodial and maintenance personnel work around the clock to keep the buildings open. Bus drivers work an extended schedule to provide transportation over roads that at times are less than ideal. Parents suffer inconveniences when transportation is interrupted or when weather conditions are adverse. We will continue to work to make sure that lines of communication are kept open to our students and to our parents in all situations.
Sincerely,
John R. Harper
Superintendent
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